Finding our way back

Chapter 10

"Sam..." Connie called the next morning as she got out of her Range Rover outside his house as he and Grace was just getting into his car. "How dare you tell my daughter she isn't trying hard enough!"

"What would you know about it?!" He quipped back as Grace watched awkwardly before spotting Jacob in the Range Rover; seeing as her parents werent bother, she went over to talk to him.

"I know i had my daughter call me late last night in tears because you shouted at her; i know she's trying so hard she's physically and mentally exhausted and yet, you still keep pushing. I might not have been perfect but at least i recognised when she needed a break; when was the last time you took her out?"

"Everyday"

"When was the last time you took her out that wasnt the hospital? I've seen her online profile; there's not one single picture of you two together since America but she posted three from our shopping trip"

"You spend a couple of hours with her and you know it all"

"Stop" Grace shouted, fed up of the arguing. "Mom's right dad...all you do is push me and push me even after i tell you i'm tired. I ask you if we can go out and you say no; i have to walk Sid around the garden"

"You cant give up everytime you get tired" Sam said, trying to reason with her.

"No dad, i'm sick of spending all my time in your office or the house or therapy; mom's not perfect but she's trying"

"Maybe you should stay with her then!" He said before getting into his car and leaving.

"What happens now?" Grace asked Connie.

"Do you have a key?"

"It's in the flower pot on the right"

"Okay, let's get you some stuff and Sid and then we'll go home" she said as Jacob joined them.

An hour later, with Jacob on his way to work and Connie phoning in sick, she was sat on the sofa with Grace next to her and Sid laid on her lap.

"You okay sweetheart?"

"What will happen now?"

"I need to talk to your dad again; either way, this needs to be resolved and we need to find a way of moving forward. Jacob's coming by later so i'll give your dad a ring then; what would you like to do today?"

"Sleep" she answered, snuggling into Connie as she closed her eyes.

Carefully placing Sid on the other side of her, Connie pulled a blanket over her daughter and watched her sleep, one hand stroking her hair and the other stroking Sid.

When Grace awoke a few hours later, she heard her mom on the phone in the kitchen; as much as she was hungry and thirsty, she didnt want to disturb her.

"Sam, i dont give a crap what you want; our daughter comes first and it's about time we both made her a priority. I'm taking a leave of absence whether you or Hansenn like it or not; why does it matter? She's 12 years old, she needs to be having some fun after the year she's had; do what you want. I'll be looking after her when you decide you can be bothered to sort it out..."

Hanging up, she sighed and turned round, noticing Grace standing in the doorway; putting the phone on the table, she held her arms out and held her close.

"You okay darling?" She asked.

"Was that dad?"

"Yeah, you're gonna stay with me for a while; are you hungry?"

Grace nodded.

"Go sit down and i'll make us something"

"Can we make pancakes?"

"Course we can, wanna help?"

"Can i?"

"Sure, we'll just move this over" she said moving the breakfast stool over to the oven.

With very little help, Connie grinned as she watched her daughter making pancakes; it might have seem like a little trivial thing to be happy about but it was another milestone in Grace's recovery.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Grace asked as they ate.

"You did it darling, you made this...on your own"

"I did...dad wouldnt let me do anything; he'd go on and on about my recovery but then wouldnt let me in the kitchen. Scared in case i made a mess..."

"Well...we can do anything you want; we could...make cakes for tonight?"

"Can we? For Jacob?"

"Course we can; we can do whatever you want. From now on, it's up to you and maybe later, when Jacob gets here, we can take Sid for a walk...if you feel up to it"

When Grace nodded, Connie's smile grew bigger; for the first time in months, since the accident, she truly felt like she had her daughter back.